Float valve



Patented Dec. 23, 1947 UNITED STATES: PATENT OFFICE FLOAT VALVE Clarence J. Smith, Mason City, Iowa Application November 25, 1943, Serial No. 511,675

This invention relates to hydraulic systems and has particular relation to a valve suitable for hog troughs and the like for controlling the flow of water to such containers.

It is well known that where Water and other liquids under hydrostatic pressure, as in water tanks and the like, is fed into open containers, such as stock tanks and the like, some valve means is necessary to limit the flow of liquid so as to keep the tank full as it is used without running over and without permitting the entire contents of the storage tank to flow through the supply tank with an uninterrupted flow.

One of the main objects of my invention is to provide an extremely simple and inexpensive device of the above character, which may be readily manufactured with a minimum of materials currently scarce because of war conditions,

Another object of my invention is to provide a valve structure in which considerable pressure may be built up for closing the valve controlling the flow of water into the tank.

Other and further features and objects Of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of the accompanying drawings and following specifications, wherein is disclosed a single exemplary embodiment of the invention, with the understanding, however, that such changes may be made therein as fall within the scope of the appended claim, with-out departing from the spirit of the invention.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of a device constructed according to one embodiment of my invention, and

Figure 2 is a view in perspective showing how the valve, illustrated in Figure 1, is mounted in a tank or the like for controlling the flow of water into the tank.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Figure 2 thereof; the open box In represents any Water-tight container such as a trough or tank, into which water must be fed as it is used. The device here shown consists of the bottom sides l2 and I3, and ends I4 and I6. These members are tongue-grooved and are held together by means of suitable bolts as at ll.

A device constructed according to a preferred embodiment of my invention includes a pair of blocks, such as shown at 2|, adapted to be secured to a side wall of the container, such as illustrated at l2, and a flapper-like block 22 suspended on a pivot rod 23 extending between the blocks 2|. The position of the pivot 23 is so chosen that when the flapper valve 22 is hanging vertically, a

1 Claim. (Cl. 137-104) rubber disc 24 received in a recess 26 on the inner face of the flapper valve 22 closes the end of a pipe nipple, such as that shown at 21. The pipe nipple is threaded into a bracket 28 and may be adjusted in and out so that the valve 24 will cover the entire outer end of the nipple 21 when the flapper valve 22 is hanging down in the verical position.

, I also provide a second pivotal member, indicated at 3|, which member is provided with a cap 32, such as a Mason jar cap, which is secured to the outer face thereof in any suitable manner. The block 3| is pivotally secured between the upright 2| by means of a rod 33, and the block 3| may rock from left to right in response to the movement of a Mason jar 34 threaded into the cap 32.

In the position of the jar and valve member, shown in Figure 1, the level of the water in the tank ID is sufficiently high, as shown by the dotted line 36, that the jar 34 has moved upward to rotate the valve holder 3| against the bottom of the flapper valve 22 to cause the disc 24 to engage and seal the end of the pipe 21, thus preventing any more water from entering the tank. As the water in the tank is used, however, the level of the water drops and the jar 34 moves downwardly and to the left to release the pressure on the bottom of the flapper valve 22, thereby permitting water to flow through the pipe 21 to again fill the tank.

I preferably provide a wear plate 31 of copper or the like on the lower outside corner of the flapper valve 22 Where it strikes the float holder 3|, to prolong the life and reduce friction of the structure. The weight and pivot points of the member 22 are so chosen that when pressure on the bottom thereof is relieved, water pressure in the pipe 21 will open the valve.

It will be noted that the distance between the end of the pipe 21 and the pivot points 23 is relatively short, approximately one-third of the length of the flapper 22, and that the distance from the pivot point 33 of the block 3| to its Although I have described a specific embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that modifications thereof may be made by those skilled in the art. Such modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invent on as set forth in the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

In a water tank or the like, having a side wall, a pair of blocks fixed to said wall in laterally spaced relation, an inlet pipe extending through said side wall between said blocks, a downwardly extending flapper valve disposed in front of said pipe and pivoted to said blocks above said pipe, a washer on said flapper valve comprising a substantially fiat member adapted to seat against the inneremiiof said pipe, an upwardly extending float arm pivotedat-it'slower end to said blocks at the lower ends of the latter and below said pipe, said arm contacting the lower edge of saith flapper at a point on the arm between the..pipe and the arm pivot for forcing the flapper valve' against the inner end of said pipe;,an'd a horizon.

tally extending float fixed to the upper end of said float arm at the side thereof" opposite the side" that contacts the lower end of said flapper valve; and means for adjusting the axial position of said pipe relative to said. flapper valve soas to cause said washerto bear flat against the inner end of said pipe when the valve closed.

Ci JLSMITH;

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number.

Name Date Slattery Feb. 19, 1918 Owens Nov. 15, 1938 Spickler Mar. 5, 1929 Bruno Aug. 26, 1930 Wasdell Apr. 8, 1924 Cornelius June 8, 1903 Estep Dec. 27, 1927 Crone July 4, 1905 Fina Jan. 12, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Dec; 11, 1930 Norway Jan. 18, 1926 

